"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above
and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of Company B, First
Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division, in action against enemy
Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands,
on 7 March 1945. Launching a surprise attack against the rock-embedded
fortifications of a dominating Japanese hill position, Second Lieutenant
Leims spurred his company forward with indomitable determination and,
skillfully directing his assault platoons against the cave-emplaced
enemy troops and heavily fortified pillboxes,
succeeded in capturing the objective in the late afternoon. When it
became apparent that his assault platoons were cut off in this newly won
position, approximately four hundred yards forward of adjacent units
and lacked all communication with the command post, he personally
advanced and laid telephone lines across the isolating expanse of open,
fire-swept terrain. Ordered to withdraw his command after he had joined
his forward platoons, he immediately complied, adroitly effecting the
withdrawal of his troops without incident. Upon arriving at the rear, he
was informed that several casualties had been left at the abandoned
ridge position beyond the front lines. Although suffering acutely from
strain and exhaustion of battle, he instantly went forward despite
darkness and the slashing fury of hostile machine-gun
fire, located and carried to safety one seriously wounded Marine and
then, running the gauntlet of enemy fire for the third time that night,
again made his tortuous way into the bullet-riddled deathtrap and
rescued another of his wounded men. A dauntless leader, concerned at all
times for the welfare of his men, Second Lieutenant Leims soundly
maintained the coordinated strength of his battle-wearied company under
extremely difficult conditions and, by his bold tactics, sustained
aggressiveness and heroic disregard of all personal danger, contributed
essentially to the success of his division's operations against this
vital Japanese base. His valiant conduct in the face of fanatic
opposition sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps."
From 2nd. Lt. Leims' Medal of Honor citation, awarded on June 14, 1946.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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